Slightly above average crop condition in China in early March 2016

March 31, 2016

Wheat: During the monitoring period, winter wheat was at turning green to jointing stage. In general, crop condition was at the recent 5-year average level. Affected by strong cooling weather, below average winter wheat condition occurred in southern Jiangsu and eastern and southern Henan. On the contrary, crop condition was above average in eastern Sichuan, Chongqing and northern Guizhou due to proper temperature and abundant rainfall.

Rapeseed: Rapeseed was at bolting to flowering stage. In Lower Yangtze region, sufficient precipitation was beneficial for rapeseed growth and hence crop condition was just fair. However, rapeseed condition was slightly below average in Yangtze-Huaihe region.

Rice: Early rice was at seeding stage in South China.

Maize: Spring maize was at seeding to three-leaf stage in Guangxi. Above average crop condition occurred in this area.